Just curious to know if anyone has an awning specifically to fit a Toyota hiace rear door ... canvas preferred .
We have a fiama side awning and would like to extend liveable space by opening up rear tail gate with a privacy awning of some kind .
Realise a tarp just thrown over the tail gate would work but is there a company that makes one specifically for a hiace ?
We were at the camping show in Melbourne in feb and saw a van with this fitted to tail gate .. we made an enquiry about it and was told they are not sold separately !! and they didn't know of any other manufacturer that made them !! it came with a full fan fitout something that I don't need .
I was checking out HiAce conversions and this mob were one I looked at. If you access their website and look at HiAce vehicles and then accessories they have a nice looking rear tent. Quite a few other accessories too. This is their website,
hi thanks for info .. frontline was the company I spoke to at the Melbourne show and wont sell this item separately ? which I thought was crazy !!!! thanks again.
The Outback Tent printed this out from PeterD's post - not cheap at $1,350 -
The Outback Tent was Designed and developed in Australia Versatility The Outback Tent comes with two screen windows, one screen door and a PVC floor. It includes heavy duty zips and midge proof screens.
Currently the tent is only available in grey Coolabah canvas. It looks good and the sleeve can be adapted to any vehicle - so you don't need to replace the tent when you get your new car.
Features Freestanding tent frame Quick and easy to erect and pack away Attaches to most vehicles Robust Lightweight Packs down into its own storage bag 12 month manufacturers warranty The Outback Tent is an Australian designed and manufactured product, developed specifically for the harsh Australian conditions. It incorporates a strong but lightweight aluminium frame and utilises an Australian made 8oz canvas. Guy ropes are supplied to ensure its stability in strong wind conditions. The Outback Tent is robust and built to withstand the severe Australian conditions - either attached to your vehicle or when freestanding
Suggest you check out the Wanderer 2.4 x 2.5 metre side tent at BCF.....currently $399. It fits under an existing Wanderer 2.5 x2.5 Metre awning by way of velcro loops which attach to the frame of the awning. With a bit of planning as to top edges support, it can be made to fit under most awings giving you a large outside living area in which you can cook and relax. The use of a rear tent on a Hiace is by comparison I believe.....a waste of time as it gives very little useable space and unless it is of very specific design cannot be compared to the fab facility afforded when using a side Awning/Tent. The height inside the awning tent is 2metres at the vehicle side going down to 1.7metres height at 2.5 metres distance from the side of the vehicle. This is the only unit I have found that measures up to give you the height and living space minimally needed for comfort and convenience. It features a built in floor also !
When packed, it sits inside what is essentially a slightly oversize cabin bag which makes for easy storage inside the Hiace when travelling. The material it is made of is not super heavy duty canvas which is great as it would be extremely heavy and bulky if made from canvas instead of ripstop material. Entry exit flaps with zippered flyscreens all round makes for convenience and comfort for the user.
Hmmm......I had not deduced that you already had an awning "with side covers".....Do I take it that you mean that it has no windows or flyscreens or zippered entry or a built in waterproof floor ?
In the absence of full info it is difficult to imagine what someone has or does not have, so as to offer appropriate advice.
If I put up a "weather shelter" attached to a vehicle, my preference is for it to cover all kinds of weather eventualities, not just as a shade for a sunny day. I also want space in which to cook and relax, beyond the confines of the Hiace,whether it be rain or shine.
IMHO, "make-do awning/tent setups" such as a hanging tarp with sides and no floor do not make for either comfort or convenience on the side or on the rear of a Hiace, and those Hiace rear tents I have seen which are a "Full fit with floor, door and windows" were made of very heavy canvas and cost over $1200.
For that kind of Real Estate cost, for one metre square of useable camping space at the rear of a Hiace......that for me, cannot compare to the full all-weather and ground floor protection offered by the Wanderer Awning TENT @ $399.
As the space that rear-of-Hiace tents afford is little better than standing under the Rear Door.....I regard them as a "Changing Room" or "Toilet tent" and not much more: and.... weight for weight and sheer bulk as compared to a fully functional Side Tent with floor and windows and entry/exit doors, simply not worth the carrying, the setting up of, nor the expense of purchasing one. As one can "shelter under the rear door" as is.......unless it rains, the use of a FULL REAR TENT, I feel does not really merit the putting up of it.
To afford added comfort and protection, especially when the UV is high ........I fit a silver backed front of vehicle sunshade inside the rear window. It is held in place with a curtain stretch wire fitted across the inside middle of the rear window and takes seconds to put in place. That way......no need for an awning over the rear door as shade from the sun! We sit in a perfect shade area on those lovely sunny days.
Some time ago an El Cheapo ripstop slipover rear-of -vehicle "Sun shade" was available from Anaconda.... for around $199 if I recall correctly.
Again, for the price and facility given, was easily outdone by making up one's own slipover shade using a quality Polytarp with guys attached ...achievable for well under half the price......and much stronger and more durable than the Anaconda version.
I guess it's horses for courses...But when all is said and done, I believe that if what you opt for does not "cover you" weatherwise for all possible eventualities" it is only going to be an RV Camping out occurrence, of torrential rain with your surrounds awash with mud, that will make for the really serious questioning as to the choices one has made, and as to whether the purchase was most relevant, in terms of the all-round comfort and convenience afforded by it ( or lack of it?) and whether or not it was the best in overall value for the money spent on them.
I believe that most would prefer not to settle for anything less than ALL ROUND maximal comfort and convenience.... when it is achievable in the simplest of ways at an affordable price, comparable to, or beating the heck out of, something make-do; which probably ended up costing almost as much or more but does not give "ALL WEATHER PROTECTION, AFFORD A WATERPROOF FLOOR, AND, BEST ALL- ROUND CONVENIENCE" .
Thanks hatnall ... today bought small tarp secured with Velcro on rear of van ...when tailgate is open have extra space .. enough room to have a shower with no intrusions !
side awning already has built in sides and wall .......... zippered entry ! enjoyed reading your post smile !
